Here is another chapter. This has to be a record for me and updating. Hope you enjoy all the surprise updates!In this chapter we finally meet Edward's parents. Thank you for reading and being interested and liking the story!

-Lisa

Chapter Eight

Bella and Carlisle continued to date as July morphed into August. Their relationship quickly blossomed. Bella almost spent the night one night, but after an outburst from Charlotte, Bella decided that it wasn't a good idea and left early. Carlisle was disappointed at his daughter for making Bella still feel uncomfortable.

Even with his daughter's ill feelings, Carlisle loved coming home from work to Bella and his children at the end of his works day. The nights were flirty and filled with laughter. Bella still carted Peter to his soccer camp and drove Charlotte to Jane's house. Bella attended Peter's games with Carlisle on Saturday mornings. Charlotte tried not to speak to Bella unless it was necessary. Carlisle seriously thought therapy was an option for Charlotte. She had so much anger in her that it worried Carlisle. He wasn't sure what to do. How much could he really chalk up to just being a teenager?

August finally began to slow down. The week before the kids were to return back to school, Carlisle took Charlotte and Peter on vacation. They flew to California to go to Disney before spending a few days at the beach. He begged Bella to join them but she declined. Things were still strained with Charlotte and she didn't want to make things worse. Bella felt confident in her blooming relationship with Carlisle, but she still didn't feel good about the pain that she was causing his daughter.

Carlisle had encouraged Bella to take the week off and enjoy her time off. She ignored his wishes. She wanted the family to come back and be surprised. She was in the process of painting Peter's room grass green with a giant soccer ball on one of the walls. She had also framed his first soccer jersey as well as the one from his previous spring league and hung them. To tie the room together, Bella had bought Peter new bedding to match his newly themed bedroom as well as a bean bag chair, which looked like a giant soccer ball. She hoped he liked his new room and didn't think it was too young for him.

Bella was able to rearrange the furniture in Carlisle's office. She organized his papers on his desk and put them into files and labeled them so Carlisle could go through them. She then installed a new hanging file holder on the wall to place the new files in. She changed his blinds and window treatments. She looked at the cream room and decided she would color splash one of the walls a sea blue color. The color would still match the furniture in the room.

Lastly, Bella took his pictures that surrounded the shelves around the room. Most of them had fallen down or facing down. She hung some up on the bare walls while she placed the rest around the room. She took notice that most of them were of his children over different periods of their lives. She gathered some of the frames and scattered them around his desk. She couldn't help but notice he still had one picture of Elizabeth. She was beautiful. She had short, blond hair and big brown eyes. Her arm was draped around Carlisle's neck while she held a young Peter. She looked bubbly and full of life. Elizabeth looked as if she loved her life. Bella placed the in the center of the other frames. She also took a picture they had taken within the past month while at a cook out at Edward's. Bella studied it and smiled. She missed Carlisle and the kids, even though Charlotte still wasn't a fan of hers.

She next ventured into Charlotte's room. Before she had stopped talking to Bella, Charlotte helped her decorate and spruce up her room. When Bella had arrived, Charlotte's walls were cream and she had outdated curtains. Carlisle had upgraded her bed from a twin to a queen black cast iron canopy bed that had looked out of place. With little convincing, Bella and Charlotte were granted permission to paint the room and update it. The walls transformed from that boring cream color to a light pink. Charlotte's white wooden furniture remained. Bella added a white shaggy rug on top of the dark wooden floor. Bella also updated Charlotte's bedding to white sheets with pink imprints and a white down comforter. Instead of a bean bag, she bought Charlotte a fuzzy ottoman she had found in the Pottery Barn Teen website. After she made the bed, Bella placed the last touch on Charlotte's dresser, the same picture that Carlisle had on his desk with Elizabeth. When Bella had first discovered the picture, she knew she wanted to make a copy of it for Charlotte. She found a perfect frame and put the picture in it. On her night stand Bella left a note saying she missed the time she spent with Charlotte and hoped they could get their nails done together. In the card was a gift card to the salon where they get their nails done. She was hoping the small changes seh made would bring their relationship back together.

On Thursday afternoon as she was unloading food into the refrigerator at the Cullen's house, her phone rang. She looked and smiled. "Hello?"

"Hi, how are you?" Carlisle asked smiling. He was happy to finally talk to his girlfriend.

"I'm good. How is the vacation?"

"It was good. I'll be okay if I never go to Disneyland again. I think I'm too old for those rides, or standing in line."

"Oh really? How are the kids?" Bella laughed.

"They are good. You've spoiled Peter. We've been eating out every day and he keeps comparing it to your food, by the way, according to him, none of it adds up to your cooking."

Laughing, Bella replied. "That's good to know. How is Charlotte?"

"She is okay. I'm watching them outside our hotel room playing on the beach. Peter is building a sandcastle while Charlotte is reading." He paused for a moment before he continued. "I really wish you were with us. I really miss you."

A smile couldn't help but find its way to Bella's lips. "I miss you too, but I'll see you on Sunday."

"Sunday? We come home tomorrow afternoon. What do you have planned?"

"I'm going with Edward to his parent's house on the water, remember? we talked about this."

Carlisle closed his eyes. He really missed Bella and just wanted to see her again. "Yes, I remember. God, I can't believe Tanya is working on a holiday weekend. What is that important that she can't take time off to spend with her husband?" Carlisle asked bitterly.

"No, she isn't working this time. Her father called. They thought her mother had a heart attack so she is on the east coast with her family," Bella explained. After Tanya had moved out of her parent's house, they moved to New York to be closer to her father's mother. At eight seven she was still healthy as a horse. It was unfortunately Tanya's mother who was ill.

"I do remember that now. You told me that when I called a few days ago. Why do you have to go again?" Carlisle whined.

Chuckling, Bella brought her attention back to the phone. "I'm sorry Dr. Cullen, are you whining?"

"Yes! How can I not? I've been gone for a week and all I want to do is hold you and I have to wait a few more days? Next time you're coming with me, even if I have to carry you myself."

"Is that right?"

"Yes!" He paused as he continued to her Bella laugh. "Tell me what you have been up to since I left? Tell me you haven't been working."

"Fine, I won't tell you that I've been working."

"Bella, I told you to take the time for yourself. I wanted to force you on vacation with me but you refused. Don't over do it. You are supposed to be taking it easy."

"Don't worry about me. I haven't done too much. I just did a little of this and a little of that around the house. You'll see when you get home. You need to tell me how you and the kids liked the changes. Oh, and I'm stocking the fridge now. Tell Peter that I will leave dinner in the fridge and you'll just reheat it."

Carlisle sighed. Although he asked Bella and told her not to work, he couldn't help but smile that she was still taking care of them while they weren't together. "And what did you make?"

"Nothing yet. I was thinking of doing chili because it's one of your favorites and then I was going to do Sheppard's pie because it is one of Charlotte's favorites and then I was going to leave a cake of some sorts and leave the frosting so Peter could decorate it, maybe whoopee pies."

"Bella that's too much. If you want to do anything just make one meal and we can have leftovers."

"Stop it Carlisle, let me do this. I want to make sure you guys have a good meal for the next few days. I especially want to do it now that I know Peter hates takeout food."

Although she couldn't see him on the other end of the line, Carlisle smiled. "If you are so busy taking care of everyone around you, when do you Miss Swan take care of yourself?"

"I'm fine, don't worry about me. I'll see you Sunday, probably late afternoon or early evening."

"Fine, but I don't like it."

Bella couldn't contain her laughter. "You are so whiney. Stop it."

Sighing, Carlisle looked out the window. "Fine, I'll stop just for right now but only because Charlotte looks like she is going to kill Peter. I think he just threw water on her. I have to go and save him."

"Okay. I miss you but I will see you in just three days."

"Yes," Carlisle sighed. "Just three days."

"I don't remember the last time I was at the beach house. I think it was before I moved to Arizona," Bella told Edward as they got closer to his parents' second home.

"I think you might be right. Are you ready to endure the wrath of Esme Masen?"

"Edward," Bella rolled her eyes. "You make her out to be evil and insane. I love Esme. She is great and yes, I'm ready to encounter her and everything that is her."

"You know she is going to grill you about what you are doing and if you are dating."

"I know. I haven't seen her since right after I moved back. I was a sobbing mess then. I'm much better now though," she smiled.

"Does it have something to do with a certain doctor?" Edward asked as he wiggled his eyebrow.

"Perhaps," Bella laughed. She looked at Edward. "You have to do me a favor."

"I can't marry you, I'm married all ready, remember?" Edward said seriously.

"You are such a wise ass! I didn't hint towards that at all you moron!" Bella giggled. When her smiled faded, she looked at Edward. "Don't say anything about Carlisle and I yet."

"Why, are you embarrassed to be with such an older man?"

"Honest to god Edward, how old are you? That really doesn't get funnier the more you say it. Seriously, I just don't want to explain things yet."

As he turned off the highway, he looked at his friend. "Are you having second thoughts of being with Carlisle?"

"No, no, it isn't anything like that. I like him, a lot actually. I think I might even be falling in love with him."

"I'm confused. What's the problem then?"

"I don't know where our relationship is going. We've slept together, but we still haven't done anything. Charlotte is still stressed out, which is stressing both of us out, even though Carlisle won't admit it. I know that we are slowly telling people and making it official, but I consider your parents mine. You know parents are always the worse with this kind of situation. I just want to wait for a little bit longer, until I know where we are heading. I do think I'm falling in love with him."

Edward pulled into the driveway and parked in the driveway of the oversized cabin. "I understand. You know mom is going to question you about everything in your life."

"I know and I'm prepared for that. I wouldn't expect anything less from her. I know she just wants the best for me."

Nodding, Edward shut off the car. "Thanks Bells for coming with me. Emmett and Rose went on vacation. It would be me and my parents, alone."

"I'd do anything for you, don't you know that by now?"

"I know, you are even encountering the force that is hurricane Esme. I hope you're ready."

"Edward, I love her, you know that. She's just, well, mom," Bella smiled.

"I hope you're ready because here she is," Edward said as he took the keys out of the ignition.

Bella got out of the car and walked towards Esme, who began to lightly run passed Edward and to Bella.

"Isabella! Come here honey," Esme shrieked as she pulled Bella into a hug. "How are you? I am so very happy that you are here. You look great sweetie. Come on to the back, Ed has just started the grill. I haven't seen you since you moved home in May. Are you well?"

Laughing and breaking their embrace, Bella began to answer Esme's questions. "I am excellent, thanks Esme."

"Um, excuse me? Am I the forgotten child?" Edward asked as he followed his mother and Bella to the backyard.

Esme looked back at her son and smiled. "Hi honey, are you doing okay?"

"Great mom, thanks," Edward smirked happy that Bella was receiving the attention.

"Ed! Look who's here!" Esme yelled to her husband.

The elder Edward Mason man turned and looked at the woman who was like a daughter to him. "There she is!"

Releasing her grasp around Esme, Bella walked over to Ed and smiled as she kissed his cheek. "Hello Ed, how are you?"

"I'm good honey, are you okay, for real?"

Nodding and smiling, Bella looked at him. "I am."

"Come sit down honey while Edward brings your bag into the house," Esme said as she walked Bella to the patio table.

"What? Don't you want to see me?" Edward whined

"We'll see you after you bring the bags in," Esme replied.

"I can bring my own bag inside," Bella said as she stood up.

Edward shook his head. "I'll bring the bags in. Mom is talking to her favorite child after all."

"She's the daughter I never had," Esme smiled as she squeezed Bella's hands. After Edward walked away, Esme looked at Bella. "Tell me, for real, is Carlisle working you too much? I know he's Edward's friend and you don't say anything bad about people in front of them or their friends, but tell me, is he treating you okay?"

"Yes Esme, he is treating me fine."

"And your happy working for him?"

"I am. I have enjoyed getting to know his kids and I like the freedom to almost be a personal chef."

"But your degree is in design, don't you want to use it?"

"Perhaps one day I'll go back to it, but right now really love being with the kids and cooking. Plus, I did do a little design. I painted his son's room with a soccer theme. I redecorated Charlotte's bedroom too. I'm still using it," Bella reassured Esme about her degree.

"Don't you want to do something else? Don't you want more?" Esme asked as she poured a drink for Bella.

"I do but I'm content and very happy right now," Bella answered politely.

"I just want you to be happy all around, even in your job."

"Oh she is mom," Edward smiled as he sat next to Bella. She rolled her eyes at Edward.

Esme shook her head. "I don't want you to regret anything honey. Do you remember Ed's partner at the firm, Marcus Brandon. Edward, remember his daughter Alice? She is your age. She's short, spiky black hair? She's quirky?"

Edward shrugged his shoulders. He had no idea who his mother was referring to. "I guess so?"

Esme waved her hand at Edward. "Of course you remember Alice. Anyway, she just opened a home decorating consulting business. I could call her and you could work there," she smiled as she looked at Bella.

"Esme, thank you but I have a job that I am really happy with right now."

"You must want to do something else, right?"

Bella sipped her drink and smiled at Esme. "You don't have to worry. I'm making good money and I'm working for a good man. I like what I am doing. It's a nice transitional job."

Esme squeezed Bella's hand once more. "You worked so hard on your degree honey; I'd like to see you use it. Let me call Alice so she can help you."

"I'll make you a deal," Bella began. "If I need it, I will ask for your help. Right now I am enjoying my time with the Cullen family."

"Fine, fine, fine, I'll stop, but you did promise."

"That I did, I do promise if I need help I'll ask for it."

Esme turned her attention to her son. "Okay, I'll move on, Edward, where is your wife?"

"I told you, the doctors thought her mother had a heart attack so she went back to be with her for the weekend."

"Why didn't you go with her?"

"Because," Edward paused and looked at Bella. "It didn't feel right. You know Irina and I have never gotten along and I didn't want to make a bad situation more uncomfortable. Plus Tanya told me if she needed me she'd call me and I promised to be on the next plane. I really wanted to go but she told me not to," Edward explained about his wife's family. Tanya's older sister Irina didn't try to hide the fact that she never cared for her sister's choice of husband.

"We miss her sweetie. We haven't seen her in months."

I miss her too mom. I feel like I haven't seen her in months, Edward thought. "Well, that makes two of us mom, I can't wait for her to get home and that trial she's on to end. I miss my wife, but she's happy."

"When are you going to give me a grandbaby?" Esme smiled.

"Mom," Edward said scrunching his face. "I don't see my wife enough to have a conversation with her let alone have time to create a baby."

"It really doesn't take that long Edward, just a few minutes."

Edward shook his head. "Mom, can we not talk about my sex life with my wife, please?"

"I don't know," Bella smiled as she bit a chip. "This is hard hitting information Edward. You just need a few minutes."

"I'm going to see if dad needs help. I'm never talking to either one of you about what happens in the bedroom with my wife, ever!" Edward stated as he stomped away. Esme and Bella just laughed.

Esme grew serious. "I feel like they aren't going to make it. Edward loves Tanya so much, he's lost without her but I don't see them being together very long. Edward wants babies and Tanya doesn't have that dream any more. They have grown apart." Esme turned and looked at Bella. "He's going to need you like you needed him Bella."

"As always, if that day comes, I will be by his side. There wouldn't be anywhere else I would want to be," Bella promised. She thought Esme was jumping the gun a little and threw the idea to the back of her mind.

"Esme knows how to celebrate," Bella laughed as she took a sip of her wine. She and Edward were on the dock behind the house. It was the night after their arrival and Esme threw a party to celebrate the end of summer.

"Would you expect anything less from my mom?"

Bella giggled. She felt her phone in her pocked vibrate. She pulled it out of her pocket and smiled.

Edward smiled back knowing it was Carlisle. "I'll give you some time to talk to lover boy. Tell him I said hello."

"I will, thanks Edward," Bella said as she sat on the dock. She dangled her legs long the edge as she answered the phone. "Hi."

"Hey, how are things going?"

"Good. I was enjoying a nice drink on the dock with Edward, who says hi. He left to give us some time. How are you and the kids?"

"Tell Edward I said hi when you see him later. We're good. Peter can't wait to see you when you come back. I think he is sick of me. He absolutely adores his room. You did an incredible job with that."

"I'm glad he likes it."

"Bella, he loves it so much. He loved the jerseys that are framed."

"Good. Have you seen your office yet?"

Laughing, Carlisle began to speak. "I'm sitting in here now. You found my desk top. Where did everything on top of the desk go?"

"I sorted the papers and they are filed and in the new file organizer on the wall. Feel free to reorganize anything and everything."

"No, you did a fabulous job, I love it. You are brilliant. I love the wall with the burst of color and the pictures. I never thought of hanging them on the wall. I like how you added the picture of us near my computer."

"I didn't know if it was a good idea."

"I was very touched Bella and I love it. Thank you." Carlisle paused for a moment and then whispered. "I appreciate you leaving the picture of Elizabeth out but I put it away. It was time to."

"You are most welcomed. I'm glad you like it." Bella paused and then realized what he said. "Are you sure? Why?"

Carlisle began again. "I will always love Elizabeth and I will never forget, I can't forget her. Out children remind me of how much love we shared together. I do miss her but she is gone Bella. She had been. I need to put my past behind me and look ahead at my future." He paused for a moment before he continued. "I ment what I said yesterday, I really miss you."

"I miss you too but we need to talk about some things when I see you."

Carlisle was worried. "That doesn't sound good."

"I just have concerns Carlisle."

"About?"

"About us and a possible complication."

He knew what she was trying to say. "Charlotte?"

Bella was silent and took a breath. "She's your daughter Carlisle. I don't want to come between you two."

"Is she your only concern?"

"Quite frankly, yes. You are an amazing person and I'm glad you want to be in a relationship with me as much as I want one with you. You are probably the world's greatest father and I don't want to stand in the way of you and your kids. I know they are your life and you love them. I completely understand and respect that."

Carlisle took a deep breath as he looked at the picture of he and Bella. He took a breath as he focused on the conversation. "Bella, are you done?"

"Yes, I am," she whispered as she looked out into the water.

"Then you have to do me a favor?"

"What?"

Laughing lightly Carlisle responded. "Please let me worry about Charlotte."

"Carlisle, she hates me, a lot. I don't want her to turn on you and treat you poorly because of me."

Carlisle took a breath. "Things will get better Bella, I promise you. Besides, I really love you."

Bella stopped all together and was quiet. She thought she misunderstood him. Slowly she asked, "What did you say?"

"I-I-I-," Carlisle mumbled. He believed he had made a mistake and stated his feelings too early in their relationship.

"You didn't mean it?" Bella asked confused.

"I do, I really, really have fallen in love with you. I can't imagine my life without you being part of it. You have made such a huge difference in such a little amount of time. I love you."

"I-I, I, wow," Bella said feeling a little dumb due to that fact she couldn't formulate how she felt.

Now Carlisle paused and had fear inside of him. "You don't feel the same?"

"No, I do, I do love you. I told Edward that on our way over. I was so afraid you didn't feel the same way."

Carlisle took a deep breath. His smile filled the room in which he was sitting in. "You don't understand how happy you've made me. I love hearing that."

"It's a good thing. You better get used to hearing me say it."

"There you are! Come here dear, I want to introduce you to a few people," Esme said from atop of the dock.

Bella looked at her and offered a half smile. "I'll be up in a few minutes. I just want to finish my conversation."

"Okay but hurry up! We want to see you up here!" Esme chuckled as she walked away.

"I think I'm being paged."

"I heard that. You'll be home tomorrow right?"

"Yes. I think Edward said we should be home around 4, so I can head over after he drops me off."

"That sounds like a plan. I guess I can wait until then to see you. Have a good night sweetheart. I love you," Carlisle said softly.

Bella was looking out into the water as the same smile appeared on her face. "I love you too Carlisle." She stood and watched the dancing water for a few more moments. When she turned Edward was waiting for her. "He says hi to you."

"That is so like Carlisle, so polite. Tell me, do you always end your conversations with 'love you?'" Edward smiled.

"Stop, I don't want you to harass me," Bella teased. "Plus I warned you about my feelings in the car."

"Come on, if I can't harass you than who can I harass?"

"Not my problem Masen! Who are these people your mom wants me to meet?"

"Well, one is dad's friend's son, Tyler. He's about our age and he's a total douche. Smart guy, he is in medicine and is a doctor in New York City, I think, but not so smooth or nice with the ladies. This is the portion of the evening where I promise not to leave your side. I'm now bodyguard Edward."

Raising an eyebrow, Bella looked at Edward. "Bodyguard Edward? Don't you think that's a little too much?"

"At your service mi lady." Edward watched as Bella tried to hold in her laugh. "And to answer your question, absolutely not." He turned and looked at Bella rolling her eyes. "What? You know you're like a sister to me and now you're dating one of my best friends. I need to protect you."

"Fine bodyguard Edward, lead away!" Bella smiled as she hooked her arm with Edward's.

They began to walk towards Esme when she spotted them. "There you guys are! Bella, come here, I want you to meet someone." Esme waited until Bella was standing next to her and smiled. "Tyler, this is Bella. She is so bright and as you can see so beautiful."

"Esme, please stop with that introduction," Bella turned to the man standing across from her never letting go of Edward. "Hi Tyler, it's nice to meet you."

Tyler reached for Bella's hand and kissed it. "The pleasure I'm sure is all mine. Could I get you a drink?"

"No, I'm all set thank you."

Tyler nodded. "Edward, it is nice to see you again."

"You too Tyler. How have things been?"

"Oh good. My girlfriend and I just broke up."

"Oh that's too bad," Esme told him. She didn't notice Tyler was fixated on Bella. "Bella here has recently become single too."

"Mom, seriously, back off," Edward told his mother flatly.

"What? Tyler is a nice man. Bella is a nice woman. Maybe they would make a nice couple."

Bella offered a smile. "Thanks Esme for the thought. I'm doing okay now."

"Well, I want to make sure you are happy honey. Oh, there's Marcus and his wife. I'll be right back." Esme said as she walked over to her husband's good friends.

"So Bella, are you new to the area?" Tyler asked as he looked over her body with his eyes.

"No, I recently just moved back to the area," she answered.

Edward intervened. "So how's work Tyler? Are you still in New York?"

Not lifting his eyes from Bella's body, he nodded. "Yep. I'm flying back tomorrow and I was looking for some fun tonight before heading back," Tyler answered. Of course his idea of fun and Esme's idea of fun were not the same.

Bella paused as she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She smiled to see Carlisle calling again. "Excuse me I need to take this." Bella walked a few feet away before answering her phone. "And why do I owe this pleasure of two phone calls in less than a half hour?"

Laughing on the other end, Carlisle answered. "I was going to head to bed now and was going to leave a good night message for you but you picked up. Is everything okay?"

"Yes, everything is fine. Esme was introducing me to someone and you had good timing. He kind of gave me the creeps," Bella told Carlisle as she walked back towards the docks and away from the party.

"Really? Are you okay now?" Carlisle asked concerned.

"I'm fine. Edward has been by my side the entire time. He's talking to Tyler now. I'm good."

Carlisle sighed. "Are you sure you are fine?"

"Carlisle, really, I promise," Bella said as she turned around. Standing about five feet away from her was Tyler leaning against a tree. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to talk to you some more. Is this a bad time?" Tyler asked.

"Bella who is that? Are you okay?"

"Yes hold on a second," Bella told Carlisle. She looked at Tyler. "This is kind of a bad time. This call is really important. It can't wait. I'm sorry. I can find you after I'm done if you'd like."

"Is that the creep?" Carlisle asked. "Are you all right?"

"I guess I'll see you up in the yard then. I'll be waiting for you with a glass of wine," Tyler promised as he walked away.

As Bella watched him go up the hill, Edward was coming down. He walked with Tyler back to the party. He looked at Bella and nodded.

"Bella? Was that the creep? Are you all right?" Carlisle repeated sounding upset.

"Calm down Carlisle. I'm fine and yes that was him but don't worry, Edward came to my rescue. He walked him away."

"I was worried. You said he was creepy and then poof he was there," Carlisle tried to rationally explain to Bella.

Bella smirked. "Well thank you but I'm fine. If it makes you feel better you can stay on the line until I get back to Edward."

"Is that overboard? You'd tell me if you thought I was going overboard, right?" Carlisle asked unsure of himself.

"I'm flattered, no you're not going overboard. It's kind of sweet. Just know I can take care of myself and I really wish I was with you."

"Now who's eager?" Carlisle teased. He sighed before speaking again. "Are you close to Edward?"

"Yes, he's about five feet away from me talking to him," Bella said referring to Tyler. She mouthed Edward when he looked at her. "And now Edward is walking towards me, alone."

"Good. I know you will be safe then. I'll see you tomorrow then I guess."

"Stop it. I love you," Bella chuckled as Edward joined her at her side.

"Okay, okay. I love you too. Have fun tonight but not too much."

Bella said goodbye and hung up the phone. She looked up at Edward. "He called to tell me good night. He was going to leave a message. He loves me! He said he loved me!" Bella beamed as she wrapped her arms around Edward's arm.

"See, you were worried. Did you tell him too?" Edward inquired.

"I certainly did. I'm so happy Edward."

"I'm happy for you. He is a great guy."

Bella eagerly agreed. "I know he is. When do you think the party will wind down? I just want to go to bed. I'm tired."

"It should be soon. It's almost midnight. You anxious to head home tomorrow to see your man?" Edward asked raising an eyebrow.

Smiling, Bella nodded her quickly. "I am. It's been so long since I felt like this."

Edward glanced over and saw Tyler looking in their direction. He was holding a glass of wine and smiled at Bella. "I guess you won't need that drink then."

She shook her head. "Nope, not that I even considered it. He gives me the creeps. Come with me to let him down gently?"

"This should be fun," Edward chuckled as he walked with Bella. They approached Tyler quickly.

He smiled as he handed Bella the glass. "I was beginning to think you weren't going to come back."

"I am only making a brief appearance but I'm off to turn in for the evening. It was nice to have met you Tyler. Have a safe flight back to New York," Bella smiled as she hugged Edward's arm.

Tyler began to laugh. "Are you turning in too Masen?"

"I'm afraid so. It was nice to see you again Tyler," Edward told him trying to sound sincere.

Nodding his head, Tyler placed the glass down on the table and began to follow Edward and Bella. "So does Tanya know about you two?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Edward turned to look at him.

"I mean look at you two so cozy. Secrets being told. She can't keep her hands off of you. You're both leaving at the same time. You guys are fucking, aren't you?"

Edward shook his head. "That's it; I'm telling my mother to cut you off. You've had enough. Good night Tyler."

Tyler didn't stop. He shouted back to the twosome as they began walking again. "She's a good woman you know. Tanya. She's as good as they come. Why are you with this little whore?" Before Edward had a chance to say anything, Mike got one last jab in. "If her price is right send her my way. I don't usually do sloppy seconds, but it seems like the only way to get a little action around here is to pay for it."

Without saying another word, Edward went towards Tyler. He pulled him by his shirt before jabbing him hard in the jaw and kneeing him in the crotch. Edward gripped him by his shoulders as he began to shout. "For your information, Bella is the closest thing I have to a sister. I've been protecting her all night from you asshole. Do us all a favor, leave. I didn't like you in med school and I sure as hell hate you more now. You're insulting to me and my family, including Bella." Edward turned to walk away and turned back to him. "And for your information dickhead, Tanya suggested I take Bella with me since she couldn't make it, not that my marriage or my relationship with Bella needs any explaining to you." Edward shook his head as he placed an arm around Bella's waist. He picked up the pace. "I think it's a good time now to call it a night. I didn't know I had an audience. Hopefully my moth-"

"Edward Anthony Masen, what the hell are you thinking?" Edward Sr. yelled to his son.

Tyler stood in the background laughing as he wiped the blood from his face. Bella looked at him and then told Edward everything that Tyler had said and then what his son did to protect her. Edward's father walked over to Tyler. "Tyler, are you okay?"

"Yes sir, just a little blood, but I'm okay."

The older Masen nodded his head. He placed an arm on Tyler's shoulders and began to walk with him. Bella looked at Esme.

"I'm so sorry honey, I didn't expect him to be so rude. His parents aren't like that. I had no idea."

"Esme, it's fine. It's over and done with. I'm just going to go to bed now. Edward was going to walk me upstairs. I'll see you in the morning. Have a good evening," Bella said as she hugged Esme.

People stared at her as she and Edward walked into the house. They were walking towards the stair case when they heard Edward's dad talking. "You best stay the hell away from Bella and Edward. Your lucky that Edward just gave you the bloody nose. If I were younger I would have stepped in, but I'm not as young as I used to be.

"I have arranged ride for you since you are intoxicated. My driver will take you back to Seattle where you will get on a plane and not bother either Bella or Edward again. I don't want to see you ever again, do I make myself clear?"

"But my dad and you are friends, we're bound to see each other again," Tyler whined.

"I'm bound to see your father again, not you, you asshole. Now leave. You don't disrespect my family."

Edward and Bella walked towards Edward Sr. as Tyler slammed the door. The elder Edward turned to see both Edward and Bella standing in front of him. "I'm sorry that happened to you both. I don't know what's wrong to some people." He turned to walk away when he looked at his son. "And Edward, nice punch."

"Are you sure you want to go home? We could grab dinner or something," Edward teased Bella as he drove to her house. He knew she was anxious to see Carlisle.

"Have I told you lately how unfunny you are? I want to go home so I can go over to Carlisle's."

Edward nodded as he pulled into her driveway. "Fine, fine, fine. Do you want me to help you with your stuff?"

"Nope, I'm good. You get home and tell Tanya how you punch someone."

"Let's not talk about it, my hand really hurts today."

"Still, thank you," she told him sincerely as she leaned over to hug him. "I do love you Edward."

"And I love you too. Go, have fun with the mister."

Bella squealed with excitement as she exited the car. She rolled her suitcase to her front door. She waved to Edward as she opened her door. She put her key into the lock and turned it. She barely had time to walk through the door when the aroma hit her. She smelt something savory and sweet, like Chinese food. She figured the smell from Mike's apartment was leaking into her own. She set her keys down on the table and left her suitcase to the side. She walked into the kitchen to grab a glass of water. She stopped in her tracks when she looked around and looked at her kitchen table. To say she was surprised was an underestimation.

"What are you doing here?"